Since the launch of the Cardiovascular Research Centre Appeal we have been delighted by the tremendous support shown by local people, groups and organisations in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and beyond.  Here are a few of the wonderful activities our volunteers and supporters have been involved in to help raise funds for the Appeal.  A big thank you to everyone who has supported the Appeal so far.

Students Dance in support of new Heart Research Centre

Students from Beauchamp School, Oadby, supported the Leicester Cardiovascular Research Centre Appeal by forming an Indian folk dance group, Inspire.  The group sold tickets to their performance at the school during the Hindu festival of Navrati and raised over £500.
The students decided to support the Appeal after the cousin (Pradip Tailor, 48 years) of their teacher Jivanta Tailor, died suddenly of a heart attack while out cycling with his young son.  Ms Tailor said:

“They just wanted to do something positive and arranged it in under two weeks.  We really didn’t think we would achieve something like we did”

Students Jessica Bililmoria, Jeni Gonpotlal, Devina Tailor, Nikki Mistry and Apurva Parikh of Inspire display some of their dance moves next to the ‘Stranded Heart’ sculpture at Highcross, Leicester.   The sculpture, by Diane Maclean, provides a focal point for our appeal to raise the final £1 million to complete and equip the £12.6 million Cardiovascular Research Centre at Glenfield Hospital which is scheduled to open in the Summer 2012.

Heartfelt Donation to Appeal for Local Hospital

Members of the Shree Sanatan Mandir Hindu community have presented a cheque for £1001 to the University of Leicester in support of the Cardiovascular Research Centre Appeal.  The presentation came from the President, Trustees and representatives of the Shree Sanatan Mandir at a small gathering at the Temple in Weymouth Street, Leicester.
Vijay Sharma, member of the University of Leicester Development Board said:

“We are delighted with the fantastic donation and support of the members of the Shree Sanatan Mandir for the University's Cardiovascular Research Centre Appeal.   The pioneering research undertaken at the new Centre will benefit the many thousands of patients and families whose lives have been affected by heart disease.  The support of the local community for our fundraising will be essential in helping to equip and complete this state-of-the-art building."

Students’ Collection reaches £1500 for local Heart Appeal

A collection by University of Leicester students at Leicester’s Highcross in November raised £1,500 towards the Leicester Cardiovascular Research Centre Appeal.  The students, all volunteers, spent two days talking to the public to raise awareness of the Appeal and receiving their generous donations.  Nicola Clements, Development Officer at the University of Leicester, said:
"We are delighted with the wonderful efforts of the University of Leicester student volunteers who generously gave their time over the weekend to help raise such a fantastic amount for the Cardiovascular Research Centre Appeal.  We would also like to thank everyone who donated to the Appeal over the weekend and to Highcross for welcoming the students as well as generously supporting our Appeal." 

First Santa Run for new Research Centre

A group of 20 students and staff from the University of Leicester took part in the annual Santa Fun Run in Loughborough in December to raise funds for the Cardiovascular Research Centre Appeal.  Members of the Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, the Student Executive and fellow students travelled from University of Leicester campus on Sunday 4th December to the running track in Loughborough to join hundreds of other Santa runners to take part in the 6k race.
The team also held a fundraising collection at Glenfield Hospital to raise even more funds to support the Appeal.
"As members of staff at The Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, we are more than aware of the harsh facts surrounding cardiovascular disease.  This is why we are so pleased to support the Cardiovascular Research Centre Appeal by taking part in the Loughborough Santa Fun Run.  Our team, aptly named "Santa's Little Extras" was made up of 9 members of staff and we had a great day raising vital funds to help complete and equip the Cardiovascular Research Centre at Glenfield Hospital".  Dr Glenn Rodrigo, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences.”

Brave local Student takes a Dive

Brave student, Chhaya Popat, completed a sponsored sky dive at Langar Airfield, Nottingham, raising a fantastic £3000 for the Cardiovascular Research Centre Appeal.  It was because of Chhaya’s personal experience of people suffering from the disease that she decided to support the Appeal.  Chhaya said:
“Having lost four family members to heart disease spurred my interest to raise money for the Leicester Cardiovascular Research Centre Appeal. I wanted to raise as much money as possible and the only way to do this was to do something out of the ordinary.”

Local Family Support Heart Appeal in Memory of a Loved One  

A local family have presented a cheque for over £2,600 to the University of Leicester towards the Leicester Cardiovascular Research Centre Appeal. The presentation was made to Professor Nilesh Samani in memory of Nigel Watkinson, who suffered a fatal heart attack whilst playing cricket for Blaby Village Cricket Club in October 2011.  Nigel’s wife, Justine, said: “We are so grateful for the generosity of everyone who has donated and we are pleased to be able to support such an important Appeal.  The research which will be carried out at the new Cardiovascular Research Centre at Glenfield Hospital will help other families with loved ones affected by cardiovascular disease and those people susceptible to heart attacks.  My whole family are just so pleased to be able to do something positive following such a difficult time and Nigel would have been proud of our achievement”.

Local heart charity supports the Cardiovascular Research Centre

A cheque for £10,001 was presented to the University of Leicester by the Heartsearch Charity Committee on Thursday 19th January 2012 at the Stoneycroft Hotel, Leicester.

This fantastic donation now takes their support to a magnificent total of over £20,000.

The presentation was made by Committee members Mr. Jayantibhai Chandarana (Chair of Trustees), Mr. Hemendra Ghelani (Chair of Management Committee / Trustee), Mr. Gulabbhai Mistry (Treasurer), Mr. Naresh Popat (Chair Fund raising committee), Miss. Sunita Joshi, Mr. Hakim Khalifa, Mr. Arvind Mistry (Secretary) to Ave Vinick, Deputy Director of Development at the University, and will benefit the University of Leicester Cardiovascular Research Centre Appeal.

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